CAMBRIDGESHIRE SCOOPS NATIONAL AWARD

Cambridgeshire County Council has been named Transport Authority of the Year at the prestigious UK Bus Awards held in London on Thursday, November 12.
The award was given to the authority which judges described as having 'succeeded in tempting people out of their cars' and 'developing pro-bus policies over the last decade.'

Over the last 8 years, bus passenger numbers in Cambridgeshire have risen from 15.1 million to 24.2 million while the Park and Ride service in Cambridge has seen more than four million users during the past year.

Other innovations from Real Time Passenger Information systems as well as the community minibus brokerage scheme have seen the authority lead the way in giving its residents the best services possible.

The award presented in front of over 650 industry professionals at a ceremony at London’s Hilton Hotel also praised the vision and courage shown in developing many projects including the Guided Busway.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Mac McGuire, Cabinet Member for Highways and Access, said: “Winning the award of Transport Authority of the Year is recognition of a lot of hard work from so many people, including Brian Smith, Executive Director for Environment Services and bus operators. We have faced many challenges in recent years with cuts from Central Government affecting our budget while our population has grown but we have worked hard to overcome them. We have succeeded because we have worked in partnership with our local bus operators, introduced new technology but most importantly we have listened to passengers.

"With the number of people using the buses continuing to grow, we know we can improve our services even further. For example, when The Busway opens, we estimate around 3.5 million trips on the service each year - escaping the A14 for a fast and efficient service in some of the best equipped buses around. Rest assured though we will not rest on our laurels - we know there is more we can do and we promise to use this award as a springboard to improve our service even further."
ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Contact Cambridgeshire County Councillor Mac McGuire, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways and Access, on 01480 450482 or 07843394402 or Mark Kemp, Service Director: Highways and Access, on 01223 715663.

For further political comment contact Liberal Democrat spokes - Councillor Nichola Harrison on 01223 461636 or 07788 701901 and Councillor Kilian Bourke on 077 377 82295 or Labour Councillor Tariq Sadiq on 07976 789006.

Email the Press Office